New Zealand Rugby puts $50,000 price tag on Pete Samu's availability - report
Pete Samu moved to New Zealand in 2014 when he signed with Tasman.
Australian flanker Pete Samu may have to wait until he's joined the Brumbies before he can don a Wallabies jersey as Australia Rugby appears reluctant to meet New Zealand Rugby's reported demands of $50,000 for his services.
Samu was born in Melbourne and only moved to New Zealand when he joined Tasman in 2014. However, because he is contracted to Tasman until the end of the Mitre 10 Cup, Samu will only be able to represent the Wallabies in their June tests and the Rugby Championship if he is granted an early release by NZR.
Although he had left a place for the 26-year-old Crusaders loose forward, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika was unable to name Samu in his initial squad for their upcoming matches against Ireland as AR continue to negotiate his release.
The Crusaders are fully supporting Pete Samu's bid to play for the Wallabies.
But there appears to be a new road block in those discussions with The Daily Telegraph reporting that AR is holding firm and is refusing to pay NZR's $50,000 demands.
READ MORE:
* Samu not named but Cheika hopeful
* Wallabies sweat on Samu selection
* Brumbies won't release Walllabies
While World Rugby says players must be released for test duty in June, there is a sub-clause that allows countries to deny such requests when the player holds dual eligibility. Samu is also eligible to play for New Zealand because he has lived here for three years.
- Stuff
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